Surname Kenshaw - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kenshaw: What does the surname Kenshaw mean?
The surname Kenshaw doesn't appear to have a documented or definitively established meaning, principally because it's not a common surname and could be a variation or a derivative of another more common surname. Many English surnames are derived from occupations, locations, physical attributes, or even behavioral characteristics.
Kenshaw could be potentially broken down into two elements: "Ken" and "shaw". "Ken" is an Old English term for 'knowledge or insight', while "Shaw" is a Middle English word for 'wood' or 'thicket'. Keeping this in mind, one could deduce a poetic interpretation of Kenshaw meaning "knowledge in the woods" or "insightful bush", but this isn't academically recognized or documented.
However, the best approach to determine the meaning of the name Kenshaw would be a specific genealogical research involving the study of the family history and lineages associated with this surname.
Order DNA origin analysisKenshaw: Where does the name Kenshaw come from?
The surname Kenshaw is an English name, which is most commonly found in Northern England. Today, the most common locations for people with the Kenshaw surname are the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire, with some people also found in Warwickshire and Staffordshire.
The name Kenshaw is believed to have descended from the Anglo-Saxon word cyne-sceaga, which meant a person from a royal family. The earliest recorded occurrence of the Kenshaw surname was in the 13th century, when Henry de Kenschew was found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns during the reign of King Edward I.
Today, the name Kenshaw is not a common surname, but it can still be found in the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire. It is also relatively common in Canada, where many people with the surname Kenshaw emigrated from the UK during the 19th and 20th centuries in search of better opportunities.
The Kenshaw name is also known to be associated with the local area of the Rossendale Valley, Lancashire. The Valley was once known as Copelong, meaning where 'Kenshaw' lived. This connection could suggest that the name Kenshaw has been used in this area for a long time. However, the exact origin of the name is still unknown.
Variations of the surname Kenshaw
The surname Kenshaw is of English origin and is derived from an Old English personal name Cyneheard, from the Celtic personal name Cynibild (which translates as “Heroic”); the shaw meaning “wood” or “clearing” was later added.
The surname appears in records from the Middle Ages and is found mainly in the North of England and North Midlands. Variations of this surname include Kenshaugh, Kensaugh, Kinshaw, Kinselhaugh and Kincelhaugh.
The earliest records of the surname date back to the 13th century, when Penecynsagh Warde was mentioned in the Court Rolls of Cheshire, dated 1249. Other early records are those of Reginald de Kinshagh, mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire (1343); Johannes de Kyngehaghe, mentioned in the Poll Tax records of Yorkshire (1379); and Adam de Kynshawe, in the Subsidy Rolls of Devon (1447).
In Scotland, the variants of the surname include the spelling Kinselaugh and the surnames Clan-Chisholm, Ukrainian-Kincelky, and Chinese-Kincaih.
The Kenshaw family has also spread around the world, to countries such as Australia, Canada, the United States, and New Zealand. In Australia, variants include Kensal, Kenny, and Kennell. In Canada, they include Keithschue, Kincaid, and Keneski. In the US, the variants include Kincel, Kinsley, Kinsey, and Kinslow. In New Zealand, the variants include Kinshue, Kincaide, and Kendrick.
Thus, the surname Kenshaw can take many forms, depending on where the family can be found. No matter the variation or spelling, all of these names are derived from the same English origin.
Famous people with the name Kenshaw
- Paul Kenshaw: Australian music producer and composer
- Kieron Kenshaw: former English professional footballer
- Gary Kenshaw: English actor
- Michael Kenshaw: Australian actor and producer
- Philip Kenshaw: former English professional footballer
- Andrew Kenshaw: British voice actor
- Barbara Kenshaw: British actres
- William Kenshaw: Canadian gold medalist in The Canadian Figure Skating Championships
- Todd Kenshaw: English cricketer
- John Kenshaw: Northern Irish actor